JP2003274335A - Information recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain an information recording device which can prevent a display image from deteriorating in picture quality. <P>SOLUTION: The numbers of pixels in the horizontal and vertical directions of an image represented with digital image data generated by a CCD 16 are made larger than those of its electronically zoomed image and the zoom magnification of electronic zooming carried out for the image when an image file is dubbed or the image represented by the image file is displayed on an LCD 50 is limited to the upper-limit value or less of the magnification determined by the numbers of horizontal and vertical pixels of the image represented with the digital image data generated by the CCD 16 and the numbers of horizontal and vertical pixels of its electronically zoomed image. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information recording device, and more particularly to an information recording device for recording image information obtained by imaging.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, the problems to be solved by the invention
2. Description of the Related Art As a digital camera such as a digital still camera or a digital video camera equipped with a display means such as a liquid crystal display, there is a digital camera capable of enlarging or reducing an image represented by image data recorded by photographing by an electronic zoom and displaying it on the display means. It was

However, in this type of digital camera, when an image is enlarged and displayed by electronic zoom, if the number of pixels forming the image area before enlargement is smaller than the number of pixels of the display means, that is, the number of pixels after enlargement, Image data of pixels that do not actually exist is generated by interpolation, and there is a problem that the image quality of the displayed image deteriorates as the enlargement magnification increases.

In this type of digital camera,
A technique for enlarging or reducing the image indicated by the image data when dubbing (copying) the image data recorded by shooting by applying the technique for enlarging or reducing the display image by the electronic zoom described above. However, this technique also has a problem that the image quality of an image displayed by the image data obtained by dubbing deteriorates as the enlargement ratio increases.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an information recording apparatus capable of preventing the deterioration of the image quality of a display image.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, an information recording apparatus according to claim 1 has an image pickup means for picking up an image to generate image information, and the image generated by the image pickup means. Recording means for recording information, display means for displaying an image indicated by the image information recorded in the recording means, and at least one of making a duplicate of the image information and displaying the image by the display means An information recording device comprising zoom information input means for inputting zoom information including at least magnification information indicating a zoom magnification of the electronic zoom when the image is electronically zoomed. The number of pixels in each of the horizontal direction and the vertical direction of the image indicated by the image information generated by The zoom magnification is the number of pixels in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction of the image indicated by the image information generated by the image pickup unit, and the number of pixels in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction of the image after the electronic zoom is performed. Limiting means for limiting the enlargement magnification to the upper limit or lower determined based on

According to the information recording apparatus of the first aspect,
An image is captured by the image capturing means to generate image information,
The generated image information is recorded by the recording means. As the recording means, smart media (Smar
tMedia (R)), Compact Flash (CompactFlas
h), ATA (AT Attachment) card, micro drive, floppy disk, CD-R (Compact Disc-Rec)
ordable), CD-RW (Compact Disc-ReWritable),
Portable recording media such as magneto-optical disks and magnetic tapes, fixed recording media such as hard disks, RAM (Random Access)
Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and
Programmable Read Only Memory), Flash EEP
A storage element such as a ROM (Flash EEPROM) or an external storage device provided in a network-connected server computer or the like can be used.

On the other hand, according to the present invention, when the electronic zoom is applied to the image information at the time of executing at least one of the reproduction of the image information recorded in the recording means and the display of the image indicated by the image information by the display means. The zoom information input means inputs zoom information including at least magnification information indicating a zoom magnification of the electronic zoom. The display means includes various displays such as a liquid crystal display, a plasma display, an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, and a cathode ray tube display.

Here, in the present invention, the number of pixels in the horizontal and vertical directions of the image indicated by the image information generated by the image pickup means is larger than that of the image after electronic zooming, and The zoom magnification is based on the number of pixels in the horizontal and vertical directions of the image indicated by the image information generated by the image pickup means and the number of pixels in the horizontal and vertical directions of the image after electronic zooming. It is limited by the limiting means so as to be equal to or less than the upper limit of the enlargement magnification determined by

That is, as described above, when an image is magnified and displayed by electronic zooming or a copy is made, if the number of pixels forming the image area before enlargement is smaller than the number of pixels after enlargement. Since it is necessary to generate image data of pixels that do not actually exist by interpolation, the image quality of the displayed image deteriorates as the zoom magnification increases.

Therefore, in the present invention, the number of pixels in each of the horizontal and vertical directions of the image indicated by the image information generated by the image pickup means is made larger than the number of pixels in the image after the electronic zoom. It is possible to make the number of pixels forming the image area before enlargement by electronic zoom larger than the number of pixels of the enlarged image, and the zoom magnification is in the horizontal direction of the image indicated by the image information generated by the image pickup means. And the number of pixels in the vertical direction and the number of pixels in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction of the image after being subjected to the electronic zoom, and the enlargement magnification upper limit value is set so as to be equal to or less than the upper limit value. The image quality is prevented from deteriorating.

Here, as the upper limit of the enlargement ratio, the number of horizontal pixels of the image indicated by the image information generated by the image pickup means is divided by the number of horizontal pixels of the image subjected to the electronic zoom. And the value obtained by dividing the number of pixels in the vertical direction of the image indicated by the image information generated by the image pickup means by the number of pixels in the vertical direction of the image after electronic zooming. It is optimal to apply the smaller one of the two values (if it is the same), the image information after the electronic zoom processing can be obtained only by thinning out in pixel units without performing interpolation processing.

However, when the number of pixels of the image after the electronic zoom processing is relatively large, even if some pixel interpolation processing is performed, the image quality of the image after the electronic zoom processing may not be greatly affected. In such a case, the enlargement magnification upper limit value may be set to a value slightly larger than the optimum value described above.

For example, the number of pixels in the horizontal and vertical directions of the image indicated by the image information generated by the image pickup means is 1280 pixels and 960 pixels, and the horizontal and vertical directions of the image after the electronic zoom are applied. The number of each pixel of 6
40 pixels and 480 pixels (VGA (Video Graphics Arr
ay) Number of pixels of size. ), The optimum value of the enlargement magnification upper limit value is 2 times (= 1280/640 = 96).
However, as a result of examination by the present inventors, the upper limit of the enlargement ratio in this case is about 2.5 times (25 which is the optimum value).
However, since the deterioration of the image quality was not visually recognized even with (% increase), this value may be applied as the upper limit of the enlargement ratio in this case.

The image of the present invention includes, in addition to still images,
It also includes moving images. Needless to say, when the image of the present invention is a still image, the magnification information input by the zoom information input means is related to the image. However, when the image of the present invention is a moving image, the magnification information is It is a partial image (including one image) or all images in a moving image. Therefore, when the image of the present invention is a moving image, the limitation of the zoom magnification by the limitation means is imposed on all the magnification information input by the zoom information input means.

As described above, according to the information recording apparatus of the first aspect, the number of pixels in the horizontal and vertical directions of the image indicated by the image information generated by the image pickup means is electronically zoomed. The zoom ratio of the electronic zoom applied to the image when the image is duplicated and at least one of the display of the image indicated by the image information is performed is generated by the image pickup unit while the number of images is increased compared to the subsequent image. Below the enlargement magnification upper limit value determined based on the number of pixels in the horizontal and vertical directions of the image indicated by the image information and the number of pixels in the horizontal and vertical directions of the image after electronic zooming Since the limitation is made so that it is possible to prevent the deterioration of the image quality of the display image.

By the way, conventionally, when dubbing (copying) while enlarging or reducing a part of the image information of a moving image by electronic zoom using a moving picture reproducing apparatus and a recording apparatus, the recording apparatus is set to a recording standby state. Every time, the above-mentioned image information is reproduced by the moving image reproducing device, and when the scene where the user wants to start dubbing while referring to the reproduced image comes, the recording standby state of the recording device is released and recording is started, and then the electronic zoom is performed. When the scene to be processed is being played back, the video playback device is operated to execute the electronic zoom process, and when the scene at which you want to end dubbing is reached, the recording device is put into the recording standby state again. A series of operations such as ending the recording are required, and the operations are complicated and time consuming.

Similarly, when a moving image reproducing apparatus is conventionally used to reproduce a part of image information of a moving image while enlarging or reducing it by an electronic zoom, the moving image reproducing apparatus performs fast-forward reproduction or fast-reverse reproduction of the image information. Perform a search for a desired scene while referring to the reproduced image, start reproduction at normal speed, and perform an operation for executing the electronic zoom processing when the scene to be subjected to the electronic zoom processing is reproduced. It is necessary to perform a series of operations such as
The operation was complicated and time-consuming.

In view of these points, the information recording apparatus according to a second aspect is the information recording apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the image is a moving image, and the zoom information input means is the moving image displayed by the display means. When the electronic zoom is performed on the moving image at the time of executing at least one of the reproduction of the image information and the display of the moving image by the display unit after the next time in the state where is displayed, it is desired to perform the electronic zoom. While inputting the zoom information by being operated when the image is displayed by the display means,
In a state in which the moving image is displayed by the display unit, the image which the user wants to start when the reproduction of the image information and / or the display of the moving image by the display unit from the next time is executed is the display unit. And an editing operation unit that is operated when the image whose execution is to be ended is displayed by the display unit,
Based on the operation on the zoom information input means, the zoom position information indicating the position in the image information of the image to be subjected to the electronic zoom and the magnification information indicating the zoom magnification for the image are recorded, and the editing operation means is operated. An information recording unit that records, based on an operation, edit start position information indicating a position in the image information of the image to be executed, and edit end position information indicating a position in the image information of the image to be executed. ,
Is further provided.

According to the information recording apparatus of the second aspect,
When the image according to the present invention is a moving image, in a state where the moving image is displayed by the display means, at least one of the reproduction of the image information and the display of the moving image by the display means from the next time is executed. When electronically zooming a moving image, the zoom information of the present invention is input by operating the zoom information input unit when the image to be electronically zoomed is displayed by the display unit. In this case, the zoom information input means includes various switches that can perform a pressing operation, a sliding operation, a tilting operation, and the like, as well as various sensors such as a contact sensor.

Further, in the invention according to claim 2, in a state where the moving image is displayed by the display means, at least one of the reproduction of the image information and the display of the moving image by the display means after the next time is executed. The editing operation means is operated when the image for which the execution is to be started is displayed on the display means and when the image for which the execution is to be ended is displayed on the display means. Here, the editing operation means includes various switches and buttons that can perform a pressing operation, a sliding operation, a tilting operation, and the like, as well as various sensors such as a contact sensor.

In the present invention, the information recording means indicates the zoom position information indicating the position in the image information of the image to be electronically zoomed and the zoom magnification for the image based on the operation on the zoom information inputting means. The magnification information is recorded, and based on the operation on the editing operation means, the edit start position information indicating the position in the image information of the image to be started, and the position in the image information of the image to be ended are displayed. The edit end position information shown is recorded.

That is, according to the present invention, in the state where the moving image indicated by the image information is displayed by the display means, while referring to the display image, at least one of the reproduction and the display by the display means from the next time is executed. When electronically zooming the moving image, the image to be electronically zoomed is specified by operating the zoom information input means, and the execution is performed at the time of executing at least one of reproduction and display by the display means after the next time. The image to start and the image to end the execution are specified by the operation of the editing operation means, thereby simplifying the operation.

Further, according to the present invention, information indicating the position in the image information of the image designated by the operation of the zoom information input means and information indicating the zoom magnification for the image,
The information indicating the position in the image information of the image designated by the operation of the editing operation means is recorded, and thereby, at least one of the reproduction of the image information and the display by the display means from the next time is executed, By performing the execution with the electronic zoom processing using the recorded information, it is possible to perform at least one of the duplication creation and the display with the electronic zoom processing of a part of the image information of the moving image in a short time. I have to.

As described above, according to the information recording apparatus of the second aspect, the same effect as that of the invention of the first aspect can be obtained, and the moving image represented by the image information is displayed by the display means. In this state, when the electronic zoom is performed on the moving image at the time of executing at least one of the reproduction of the image information and the display of the moving image by the display unit after the next time, the image to be electronically zoomed is displayed by the display unit. Based on the operation on the zoom information input means operated when displayed, zoom position information indicating the position in the image information of the image to be electronically zoomed,
And recording magnification information indicating a zoom magnification with respect to the image, and displaying at least one of the moving image and the moving image displayed by the display unit and displaying the moving image by the display unit after the next time. At the time of execution, the execution is performed based on the operation on the editing operation means operated when the image to start the execution is displayed by the display unit and when the image to execute the execution is displayed on the display unit. Since the edit start position information indicating the position in the image information of the image to be started and the edit end position information indicating the position in the image information of the image to be executed are recorded, the moving image of the moving image can be recorded in a short time by a simple operation. It is possible to perform at least one of copy creation and display with electronic zoom of a part of the image information.

Further, in the information recording apparatus described in claim 3, in the invention described in claim 2, each of the image from the image indicated by the edit start position information to the image indicated by the edit end position information in the image information It further comprises a transmitting means for transmitting image information corresponding to the image to the outside.

According to the information recording apparatus of the third aspect,
The image information corresponding to each image from the image indicated by the edit start position information to the image indicated by the edit end position information in the image information is transmitted to the outside by the transmitting means. Therefore, externally, at least one of making a copy of the image information and displaying the image shown by the image information can be executed by receiving the image information transmitted by the transmitting means.

The transmission by the transmitting means includes wireless transmission as well as wired transmission. Here, the wired transmission includes USB (Universal Serial Bus) transmission, I
EEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics En
gineers) 1394 and the like, and the wireless transmission includes transmission by radio waves such as Bluetooth and infrared rays such as IrDA (Infrared Data Association).

As described above, according to the information recording apparatus of the third aspect, it is possible to obtain the same effect as the invention of the second aspect, and at the same time, edit from the image indicated by the edit start position information in the image information. Since the image information corresponding to each image up to the image indicated by the end position information is transmitted to the outside, at least one of the duplicate creation of the image information and the display of the image indicated by the image information is executed outside. You can

As a preferred aspect of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 3 (hereinafter referred to as "first aspect"), the image pickup by the image pickup means is executed. At this time, a shooting zoom operation unit that is operated when enlarging or reducing an image indicated by the image information obtained by the image pickup is further provided, and the zoom information input unit is also used as the shooting zoom operation unit. There are things.

According to the first aspect, when the image pickup means is performing image pickup of the image, the image pickup zoom operation means is operated when enlarging or reducing the image indicated by the image information obtained by the image pickup. It That is, this first
The photographing zoom operation means in the aspect corresponds to a zoom button when the present invention is applied to a digital camera such as a digital still camera or a digital video camera as an example.

Here, in the first aspect, the zoom information inputting means in the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 3 is also used as the photographing zoom operating means, whereby photographing is performed. The zoom information can be input by the same operation as the zoom operation at the time, the operability can be improved, and the cost required to provide the zoom information input means can be reduced.

As described above, according to the first aspect, the same effect as that of the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3 can be obtained, and the image pickup means executes the image pickup. The zoom according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: a photographing zoom operation unit that is operated when enlarging or reducing an image indicated by the image information obtained by the imaging. Since the information input means is also used as the photographing zoom operation means, the operability can be improved and the cost can be reduced.

Further, as a preferred mode of the invention according to claim 2 or claim 3 (hereinafter, referred to as “second mode”), there is further provided a shooting operation means operated when shooting the image, An example is one in which the editing operation means is also used as the photographing operation means.

According to the second aspect, the photographing operation means is operated when photographing an image. That is, the photographing operation means in the second aspect is, for example, a release button (so-called shutter) when the present invention is applied to a digital camera such as a digital still camera or a digital video camera.
Equivalent to.

Here, in the second aspect, the editing operation means in the invention described in claim 2 or claim 3 is also used as the photographing operation means, which is the same as that at the time of photographing a moving image. The edit start position information and the edit end position information can be recorded by the operation, the operability can be improved, and the cost required for providing the edit operation means can be reduced.

As described above, according to the second aspect, the same effect as that of the invention according to claim 2 or 3 can be obtained, and the photographing operation means operated when photographing an image is provided. Further, since the editing operation means is also used as the photographing operation means, the operability can be improved and the cost can be reduced.

Further, as a preferred mode of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 3 (hereinafter, referred to as “third mode”), the image is reproduced at the time of making a duplicate of the image information. Cutting out means for cutting out zoom area image information, which is image information of an area to be enlarged or reduced at a corresponding zoom magnification from information, and zoom execution for performing enlargement or reduction at a zoom magnification corresponding to the zoom area image information. Means and
The one further equipped with.

According to the third aspect, in the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3, when the copy of the image information is executed, the image information is enlarged or reduced at a corresponding zoom magnification. The zoom area image information which is the image information of the area to be cut out is cut out by the cutout means, and the zooming out means enlarges or reduces the cut out zoom area image information at the zoom magnification.

Therefore, when the device that creates a copy of the image information is an external device, when the external device cuts out the zoom area image information and performs enlargement processing or reduction processing on the cut out zoom area image information, By comparison, the processing load on the external device can be reduced.

As described above, according to the third aspect, it is possible to obtain the same effect as that of the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3, and at the time of executing the copy creation of the image information. Since the zoom area image information, which is the image information of the area to be enlarged or reduced at the corresponding zoom magnification, is cut out from the image information and the cut-out zoom area image information is enlarged or reduced at the zoom magnification. It is possible to reduce the processing load on the external device when the duplication of the image information is performed by the external device.

[0042]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, a case where the information recording device of the present invention is applied to a digital camera will be described. First, FIG. 1 (A)
The external configuration of the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in the figure, on the front of the digital camera 10, a lens 12 for forming a subject image,
A self-timer LE that notifies the arrival of the shooting timing when shooting is performed using the self-timer function by means of a blinking interval
A D44 and a finder 46 used to determine the composition of the subject to be photographed are provided.

A DC terminal 42 for connecting an AC adapter (not shown) for the digital camera 10 is provided on the side surface of the digital camera 10, and the top surface of the digital camera 10 is used for shooting. Release button (so-called shutter) 30A that is pressed by the user
And a power switch 52.

The release button 30A according to the present embodiment is pressed to an intermediate position (hereinafter referred to as "half-pressed state") and pressed to a final pressed position beyond the intermediate position. (Hereinafter, referred to as “full-pressed state”), the two-step pressing operation is possible.

Further, the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment is constructed so as to be able to take not only still images but also moving images. When taking still images, the release is performed. After the button 30A is pressed halfway, the AE (Automatic Exposure) function is activated and the exposure state (shutter speed, aperture state) is set, then the AF (Auto Focus) function is activated. Focusing control is performed by pressing the button, and then the exposure (photographing) is performed by continuously pressing the button.

On the other hand, when shooting a moving image,
Shooting of a moving image is started by fully pressing the release button 30A, and the shooting state of the moving image is stopped by returning the pressed state of the release button 30A to an unpressed position once and then fully pressing it again. It is configured to be. As described above, in the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment, the release button 30A is fully pressed when starting the shooting of a moving image, and the release button 30A is fully pressed again when the shooting is stopped. However, the release button 30A is not limited to this.
It is also possible to adopt a mode in which a moving image is captured during the period when is fully pressed.

On the other hand, on the rear surface of the digital camera 10, an eyepiece portion of the finder 46, a liquid crystal display for displaying a subject image indicated by digital image data obtained by photographing, various menu screens, messages and the like. (Hereinafter referred to as “LCD”) 50, and a reproduction switch 30D operated when setting a reproduction mode which is a mode for displaying (reproducing) a subject image represented by digital image data obtained by photographing on the LCD 50. ,
A shooting switch 30E that is operated when the shooting mode is set to a shooting mode, and a cross cursor button 30B provided with four arrow keys that indicate four directions of up, down, left, and right movement in the display area of the LCD 50, A zoom button 30C that is operated when zooming (enlarging and reducing) a subject image during shooting is provided.
The zoom button 30C corresponds to the position of "T" in the figure, and is a telephoto button operated when enlarging the subject image.
It is composed of a button and a wide button corresponding to the position of “W” in the figure and operated when reducing the subject image. In addition to the role of setting the shooting mode, the shooting switch 30E also has the role of setting whether to shoot a still image or a moving image.

On the other hand, the bottom surface of the digital camera 10 is provided with a receptacle 40 used for connecting to an external device by a predetermined interface standard (USB in this embodiment). The digital camera 10
The grip part has a built-in rechargeable battery 34 that supplies power to each part when the AC adapter is not connected.

Next, referring to FIG. 1 (B), the digital camera 10 is connected to a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as "PC").
Say. ), A state in which the digital camera 10 and an external device (here, the PC 80) are connected using a cradle 60 used for easily connecting to an external device such as a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant, personal digital assistant). Will be described.

As shown in the figure, the cradle 60 according to the present embodiment is provided with a camera insertion portion 61 into which the digital camera 10 is inserted when connecting to an external device through the cradle 60. The cradle connector 62 corresponding to the connection terminal of the receptacle 40 provided on the digital camera 10 is provided on the inner bottom surface of the camera insertion portion 61.
Is provided.

When mounting the digital camera 10 on the cradle 60, the digital camera 10 is inserted in the direction of arrow A in FIG. As a result, the connection terminal of the receptacle 40 of the digital camera 10 is connected to the cradle connector 62. On the other hand, between the cradle 60 and the external device, a USB cable 72 compatible with the predetermined interface standard (USB in this embodiment) is provided.
Connected by. As a result, the digital camera 10 mounted on the cradle 60 can communicate with an external device according to the predetermined interface standard.

Further, the cradle 60 includes a cradle 6
An AC adapter (not shown) for 0 is pressed to operate the power switch 64 for switching between supplying and cutting off the power supply, a digital camera mounted on the cradle 60, and an external device connected to the cradle 60. Communication LED that lights up when communication is being performed with the device
66 and are provided.

In the following, as an external device connected to the digital camera 10 via the cradle 60, an external medium 82 (smart medium in this embodiment) capable of recording various information is attached, and A case where the PC 80 equipped with the display unit 84 (in this embodiment, a liquid crystal display) for displaying various information is applied will be described.

Further, in the present embodiment, when dubbing an image file recorded by photographing on a recording medium 26 (see FIG. 2, not shown in FIG. 1) described later mounted on the digital camera 10, A case of dubbing to the external medium 82 of the PC 80 via the cradle 60 will be described.

Next, the configuration of the electric system of the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in the figure, the digital camera 10
Is an optical unit 14 including the lens 12 described above, and a CCD (Ch
arge Coupled Device) 16 and an analog / digital converter (hereinafter referred to as “A / D converter”) 18 that converts an input analog image signal into digital image data.
And a DS which has a built-in line buffer of a predetermined capacity and performs predetermined digital signal processing on the input digital image data while controlling the display operation on the LCD 50.
P (Digital Signal Processor) 20 and SDRA mainly for storing digital image data obtained by photographing
M (Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory) 22
And a flash memory 24 that stores various programs and parameters in advance, and a CPU (central processing unit) 28 that controls the operation of the entire digital camera 10.
And a compression / expansion unit 29 that performs a compression process on the digital image data in a predetermined compression format and a decompression process on the compressed digital image data.

In the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment, when the digital image data of a still image is compressed by the JPEG (Joint Ph.
otographic Experts Group) format, when compressing digital image data of a moving image, Motion JPEG
Each format is applied.

The output end of the CCD 16 is the input end of the A / D converter 18, the output end of the A / D converter 18 is the input end of the DSP 20, and the output end of the DSP 20 is the input end of the LCD 50.
Each is connected. In addition, DSP20, SDRAM2
2, the flash memory 24, the CPU 28, and the compression / expansion unit 29 are mutually connected by a bus BUS.
Therefore, the CPU 28 can arbitrarily access the SDRAM 22 and the flash memory 24, and
The operation of the DSP 20 and the compression / expansion unit 29 can be controlled.

The digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment includes a smart media, an IC card, a CD-R,
A portable recording medium 26 such as a CD-RW is mountable, and the recording medium 26 is electrically connected to the bus BUS while being mounted in the digital camera 10. Therefore, the CPU 28 can also access the recording medium 26 arbitrarily.

Here, the CCD 16 according to the present embodiment
Is the LCD 5 with both horizontal and vertical pixel counts.
0 and more area CCDs than the display portion 84 of the PC 80 are applied. Specifically, the number of pixels of the CCD 16 is 1280 pixels in the horizontal direction and 960 pixels in the vertical direction,
The number of pixels of the LCD 50 and the display unit 84 is 640 pixels in the horizontal direction and 480 pixels in the vertical direction (VGA size). That is, the CCD 16 has twice as many pixels as the LCD 50 and the display section 84 in both the horizontal and vertical directions.

The signals representing the subject image output from the CCD 16 are sequentially input to the A / D converter 18, and the A / D converter 18 inputs R (red), which is input from the CCD 16,
G (green) and B (blue) signals are 12-bit R, G, and
It is converted into a B signal (hereinafter referred to as “digital image data”) and output to the DSP 20.

The DSP 20 accumulates digital image data sequentially input from the A / D converter 18 in a built-in line buffer and temporarily stores the digital image data in the SDRAM 22.

The digital image data stored in the SDRAM 22 is read out by the CPU 28, and white balance adjustment is performed by applying a digital gain corresponding to the light source type to these, and gamma processing and sharpness processing are performed to obtain an 8-bit digital image data. Digital image data is generated, and YC signal processing is further performed to generate a luminance signal Y and chroma signals Cr and Cb (hereinafter referred to as "YC signal"),
The YC signal is stored in the SDRAM 22 again.

The LCD 50 is constructed so that it can be used as a finder by displaying a moving image (through image) obtained by continuous image pickup by the CCD 16, and thus the LCD 50 is used as a finder. When using, the generated YC signal is
The data is sequentially output to the LCD 50 via P20. As a result, a through image is displayed on the LCD 50. As described above, the CCD 16 according to the present embodiment has twice the number of pixels in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction as compared with the LCD 50. Therefore, when a through image is displayed on the LCD 50, the horizontal direction is changed from the YC signal. One pixel is thinned out for every two adjacent pixels in both the vertical direction and the vertical direction, and the pixels are sequentially output to the LCD 50.

Here, when the photographing switch 30E is set in the photographing mode and the photographing of a still image is set, when the release button 30A is fully pressed by the photographer, it is stored in the SDRAM 22 at this point. The YC signal is compressed by the compression / expansion unit 29 in a predetermined compression format (JPEG format in this embodiment), and then recorded as an image file in the recording medium 26.

When the shooting switch 30E is set to the shooting mode and the shooting of a moving image is set, the time when the release button 30A is fully pressed from the time when the release button 30A is fully pressed. Up to, that is, a period during which a moving image is captured, a predetermined period (in the present embodiment, 1/30 second (0.0
33 ... seconds)), the YC signal stored in the SDRAM 22 is compressed by the compression / expansion unit 29 into a predetermined compression format (Motion JPEG format in this embodiment).
After being compressed by, the image is recorded on the recording medium 26 as an image file. Therefore, when shooting a moving image with the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment, 30 frames /
The moving image of the second can be recorded in the recording medium 26.

At this time, the image file recorded on the recording medium 26 has all the pixels (1280 pixels in the horizontal direction and 280 pixels in the vertical direction in this embodiment) acquired by the CCD 16 in both cases of still images and moving images. (960 pixels in the direction). As a result, when the image recorded as an image file is enlarged or reduced by reducing the number of pixels in both the horizontal and vertical directions of the image, each pixel in the horizontal and vertical directions of the image recorded as the image file. The number of pixels and the number of pixels in the horizontal and vertical directions of the image after enlargement or reduction are set to an enlargement magnification upper limit value C, which will be described later, and the upper limit value at the time of enlargement is obtained. Since it is possible to enlarge or reduce only the pixel-based thinning of the digital image data of the image file without generating new pixel data (data in pixel units) by interpolation processing, etc. Can be enlarged or reduced.

On the other hand, the CPU 28 has various buttons and switches such as the release button 30A, the cross cursor button 30B, the zoom button 30C, the reproduction switch 30D, the photographing switch 30E, and the power switch 52 (in FIG. 30 ") is connected. Therefore, the CPU 28 can always grasp the operation status of these buttons and switches.

The CPU 28 is connected to the input end of the motor drive unit 33, and the output end of the motor drive unit 33 is connected to the focus adjustment motor and the zoom motor provided in the optical unit 14.

The lens 12 included in the optical unit 14 according to the present embodiment has a plurality of lenses and is configured as a zoom lens whose focal length can be changed (variable magnification). Is equipped with. The lens drive mechanism includes a zoom motor and a focus adjustment motor, and the zoom motor and the focus adjustment motor are driven by drive signals supplied from the motor drive unit 33 under the control of the CPU 28.

When changing the optical zoom magnification, the CPU 28 controls the drive of the zoom motor to change the focal length of the lens included in the optical unit 14.

Further, the CPU 28 carries out focusing control by driving and controlling the focus adjusting motor so that the contrast of the image obtained by the image pickup by the CCD 16 becomes maximum. That is, the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment employs a so-called TTL (Through The Lens) method in which the position of the lens is set so that the contrast of the read image is maximized as the focusing control. .

On the other hand, the digital camera 10 has a bus BU
A USB controller 32 connected to S is built in, and the USB controller 32 has a USB provided in the cradle 60 in a state where the digital camera 10 is mounted in the cradle 60 and the receptacle 40 and the cradle connector 62 are connected. It manages USB communication with an external device (PC 80 in this embodiment) connected via the connector 70.

Further, in the digital camera 10, a DC / DC converter 36 for supplying direct-current power supply of a predetermined level to each part, and a power supply controller 3 for controlling the power supply power.
8 is built in, and the power supply control unit 38 is a DC / D
It is connected to the C converter 36 and the above-mentioned rechargeable battery 34. Further, when the digital camera 10 is mounted on the cradle 60 and the receptacle 40 and the cradle connector 62 are connected, the power supply control unit 38 is connected to the DC jack 68 provided on the cradle 60 and is not shown in the DC jack 68. When the AC adapter is connected, the power supply control unit 38 is supplied with a predetermined level of DC power from the AC adapter.

The power control unit 38 has the digital camera 10 mounted on the cradle 60 and the cradle 60.
When the power switch 52 is in the OFF state while the DC power of the above predetermined level is being supplied from the above, the charging battery 34 is charged by the DC power supplied from the cradle 60, and the power switch 52 is in the ON state. If it is, the charging battery 34 is charged with the DC power supplied from the cradle 60, while the DC power is supplied to the DC / DC converter 36, thereby supplying the power supply power to each unit of the digital camera 10. I do.

In addition, the power supply control section 38 operates when the digital camera 10 is not attached to the cradle 60 and the DC adapter is connected to the DC terminal 42.
If the power switch 52 is in the off state, the relevant A
The charging battery 34 is charged by the DC power supplied from the C adapter, and when the power switch 52 is in the ON state, the charging battery 34 is charged by the DC power supplied from the AC adapter while Power D
By supplying the power to the C / DC converter 36, power source power is supplied to each unit of the digital camera 10.

Further, the power control unit 38 determines that the digital camera 10 is not attached to the cradle 60, the DC terminal 42 is not connected to the AC adapter, and the power switch 52 is in the ON state. Is a rechargeable battery 3
The relevant parts are controlled so that the power supply power is supplied from 4 to each part.

The digital camera 10 has the cradle 6
In a state in which the receptacle 40 and the cradle connector 62 are connected to the CPU 0, the power switch 64 and the communication LED 66 provided in the cradle 60 are connected to the CPU 28. Therefore, the CPU 28 can recognize the on / off state of the power switch 64 of the cradle 60, and can communicate with the external device connected via the cradle 60 when the communication LED 6
By controlling 6 to light, the cradle 6
It can be clearly indicated that communication is being performed via 0.

By the way, the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment has the following three functions as functions for dubbing and reproducing an image file recorded in the recording medium 26 by shooting a moving image. Is equipped with. (1) A range designation function of designating an image range in which dubbing and reproduction are performed, out of the images included in the image file. (2) A zooming function for performing zooming (enlargement and reduction) of the image to be dubbed and the image to be reproduced by electronic zoom. (3) A trimming function for enlarging and trimming a partial area of the image to be dubbed and the image to be reproduced by electronic zoom.

Next, the configuration of the recording area of the recording medium 26 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in the figure, the recording area of the recording medium 26 is roughly divided into a management area A1 and a data area A2.

The management area A1 shows a reserved area 26A for managing a file and a usage status of each divided area when the area for recording data is divided into divided areas of a predetermined data size. FAT which is the table shown
(File Allocation Table) 26B, FAT 26C having the same contents as FAT 26B, and directory 26
It has areas D and D. Here, two FATs are prepared for safety. Since a technique of managing a recording medium by using a directory and FAT is known, detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

On the other hand, the data area A2 includes an edit file recording area 26E which is an area for recording an edit file including information on the three functions of the range specifying function, the zooming function and the trimming function. ,
Each area has a data recording area 26F which is an area for recording digital image data obtained by photographing as an image file in file units. Here, the edit file is a file that records various kinds of information indicating a processing result of an image edit process described later for the image file recorded in the data recording area 26F by shooting a moving image, and the image edit process is performed. It is created or recorded for each image file of all moving images.

The structure of the edit file according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. It should be noted that the figure shows the structure of one image file.

As shown in the figure, the edit file according to the present embodiment includes information indicating the file name of the image file to be processed in the image edit processing (hereinafter referred to as "edit target file"). , Edit start position information indicating the position in the edit target file of the scene to be started when executing dubbing and playback of the edit target file, and the edit end position indicating the position in the edit target file of the scene to be executed. Edited position information composed of two pieces of position information is recorded.
Here, the above-mentioned editing position information is information regarding the above-mentioned range designation function.

Further, in the edit file, zoom start position information indicating the position in the edit target file of the scene in which zooming is to be started when dubbing and playing back the edit target file and editing of the scene in which execution of zooming is to be ended are performed. The zoom position information configured by the zoom end position information indicating the position in the target file, the frame information indicating each image (frame) during the zooming period indicated by the zoom position information, and the zoom magnification of the image indicated by the frame information are displayed. The zoom magnification information that is shown and zoom-related information that is composed of trimming information that shows the coordinate position on the image of the trimming when trimming is recorded. Here, the frame information and the zoom magnification information are information on the zooming function described above, and the trimming information is information on the trimming function described above.

Note that each of the edit position information and the zoom position information is recorded as frame information indicating the corresponding image. Then, in the present embodiment, the frame position information in the edit position information, the zoom position information, and the zoom-related information is assigned in ascending order with the leading image of each image forming the image file of the moving image as a reference. It is represented by an image number (hereinafter, referred to as "frame number").

That is, in the edit file shown in FIG.
'124' is recorded as the edit start position information and '878' is recorded as the edit end position information. In this case, digital image data from the image (scene) of frame number 124 to the image of frame number 878 is recorded. Is to be dubbed and reproduced from the next time.

Further, in the edit file shown in the figure, "234" is recorded as the zoom start position information and "476" is recorded as the zoom end position information. In this case, from the image of frame number 234, This shows that each image up to the image of the frame number 476 is zoomed based on the zoom magnification information and the trimming information recorded as the zoom related information of the edit file.

Here, in the present embodiment, the trimming information is represented by horizontal and vertical coordinates indicating the center position of the image area to be trimmed. Note that in the present embodiment, the horizontal direction pixel number and the vertical direction pixel number are the horizontal direction pixel number and the vertical direction pixel number when the coordinates of the pixel located at the upper left end of the image are the origin (0, 0). It is represented by.

Therefore, in the edit file shown in the figure, for example, for the image of the frame number 234, the position of the horizontal coordinate 854 and the vertical coordinate 374 (vertical from the pixel at the 854th pixel in the horizontal direction from the upper left end of the image) Direction) and the position of the contact point of the line extending in the horizontal direction from the 374th pixel in the vertical direction from the upper left end) to the center to enlarge it 1.1 times to perform dubbing or subsequent reproduction. It is shown that

The terms "enlarge image to dubbing" and "reduce image to dubbing" in this specification mean that digital image data representing the image is reproduced by the same reproducing device such as a liquid crystal display. This means that the image data is processed (resized) so as to be enlarged or reduced and then dubbed.

The CCD 16 is the image pickup means of the present invention, the recording medium 26 is the recording means of the present invention, the LCD 50 is the display means of the present invention, the release button 30A is the editing operation means of the present invention, and the zoom button 30C is the present invention. The CPU 28 corresponds to the limiting information and the information recording means of the present invention, and the USB controller 32 corresponds to the transmitting means of the present invention.

Further, the zoom button 30C is the photographing zoom operating means of the above-mentioned first mode, the release button 30A is the photographing operating means of the above-mentioned second mode, and the CPU 28 is the cut-out means and zoom execution of the above-mentioned third mode. Means correspond to each.

Next, the operation of the digital camera 10 according to this embodiment will be described. First, the image editing process executed by the digital camera 10 will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, in FIG. 5, the reproduction switch 3 is selected by the user.
The reproduction mode is set by the operation of 0D, and the processing flow of the image editing processing program executed by the CPU 28 of the digital camera 10 when the execution of the image editing processing is instructed on the menu screen (not shown) of the digital camera 10 is described. It is a flowchart shown, and the program is stored in a predetermined area of the flash memory 24 in advance. Also,
Here, a case where image files of a plurality of moving images are recorded in the data recording area 26F of the recording medium 26 will be described.

In step 200 of the figure, the pressing flag is reset as an initial setting (here, "0" is substituted for the pressing flag), and the horizontal direction of the image indicated by the image file is set to the processing area center coordinate variable. Vertical center coordinates (in this embodiment, the horizontal coordinates are '6
40 ', vertical coordinate is'480'. ) Is substituted. The pressing flag is set (here, "1" is substituted) when the release button 30A is first fully pressed during execution of the main image editing process.
The processing area center coordinate variable indicates the center coordinates of the image area to be trimmed when the trimming function is activated. Therefore, in step 200, the center position of the image indicated by the image file is set as the initial setting of the center coordinates of the image area to be trimmed.

At the next step 202, the enlargement magnification upper limit value C is calculated by the following equation (1).

[0098]

[Equation 1]

Here, HD and VD are the number of pixels in the horizontal direction and the number of pixels in the vertical direction of the digital image data recorded as an image file, respectively, and HZ and VZ are the number of pixels in the horizontal direction and the number of pixels in the vertical direction of the expanded digital image data. The number of pixels in each direction is shown. Also, min (X, Y) indicates that the smaller value of X and Y (if they are equal, that value) is applied. In this embodiment, the horizontal pixel number HZ and the vertical pixel number VZ are 640 pixels and 480 pixels, which are VGA sizes similar to the LCD 50 and the display unit 84, respectively.

In the digital image data of the image file according to this embodiment, the horizontal pixel number HD and the vertical pixel number VD are 1280 pixels and 960 pixels, respectively, and the horizontal pixel number HZ and the vertical pixel number after expansion are set. 6 VZ each
Since there are 40 pixels and 480 pixels, both HD / HZ and VD / VZ are 2 (= 1280/640 = 960 /
480), and thus the enlargement magnification upper limit value C is '2'. The number of display pixels on the LCD 50 is QVGA (Quarte
(r VGA) size pixels, and so on, when the horizontal pixel number HZ and vertical pixel number VZ of the enlarged digital image data are 320 pixels and 240 pixels, respectively, the upper limit C of enlargement ratio is 4 ( = 1280/320 = 960 /
240).

Here, the horizontal pixel number HD and the vertical pixel number VD of the digital image data recorded as an image file are the integers of the horizontal pixel number HZ and the vertical pixel number VZ of the enlarged digital image data, respectively. The present invention is not limited to double, and can be applied to a case where at least one of HD / HZ and VD / VZ includes a numerical value after the decimal point. Further, here, the case where the aspect ratio of the image represented by the digital image data recorded as the image file and the aspect ratio of the image represented by the enlarged digital image data are the same is described. It can be applied to different cases.

In the next step 204, a predetermined edit image selection menu is displayed on the LCD 50, and in the next step 206, the user waits for input of predetermined information. FIG. 6A shows the edited image selection menu displayed on the LCD 50 by the processing of step 204. As shown in the figure, in the edit image selection menu according to the present embodiment, a message prompting the designation of the file name of the image file to be edited (file to be edited) is displayed, and data recording on the recording medium 26 is performed. A list of file names of image files of moving images recorded in the area 26F is displayed. The data recording area 26F
The extraction of the file name of only the moving image file from the image file recorded in (1) indicates the moving image as an extension among the file names recorded in the directory 26D of the recording medium 26. Then, Mot
This can be performed by extracting the data with'avi 'indicating ion JPEG.

Such an edited image selection menu is displayed on the LCD.
When displayed at 50, the user indicates that the cross cursor button 3
The file name of the desired image file is designated by the operation of 0B. As a result, the information indicating the file name designated by the user is input to the CPU 28, and the affirmative determination is made in step 206, and the process proceeds to step 208.

In step 208, the above-mentioned step 206
In the data recording area 26 of the recording medium 26, the image file (editing target file) having the file name input in
The data is read from F and the reproduction (display of a moving image) of the file to be edited on the LCD 50 is started. Here, the reproduction is performed so that the position of the reproduced image indicated by the processing area central coordinate variable matches the central position in the display area of the LCD 50. Also, here, the reproduction is performed with the enlargement ratio of the image being set to 1.

At the next step 210, it is determined whether or not the release button 30A is fully pressed, and if the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 212 and whether or not the pressing flag is reset (this embodiment). Then, it is determined whether or not the value of the press flag is "0", and if the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 214.

At step 214, the LCD 5
The frame number of the image displayed at 0 is recorded in the edit file as the edit start position information, the pressing flag is set in the next step 216, and then the process returns to step 210.

On the other hand, when a negative determination is made in step 212, the process proceeds to step 218, at which point the frame number of the image displayed on the LCD 50 is recorded in the edit file as edit end position information, and the next step After resetting the press flag in 220, step 222
Ends the reproduction of the moving image, and then ends the main image editing processing program.

That is, when the pressing flag is reset at the time of executing step 212, the full pressing operation of the release button 30A detected in step 210 is the first operation during execution of the main image editing process. At this time, it is considered that the full-press operation of the release button 30A is an operation indicating the editing start position, and the position of the reproduced image at this time is recorded as the editing start position information. On the other hand, when the press flag is set at the time of executing step 212, the full-press operation of the release button 30A detected in step 210 is the second operation during execution of the main image editing process. At this time, it is considered that the full-pressing operation of the release button 30A is an operation indicating the editing end position, the position of the reproduced image at this time is recorded as the editing end position information, and then the reproduction of the moving image is ended. ing.

As described above, in the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment, the release button 30A operated as the operation means for designating the image range for executing the dubbing and reproduction is operated at the start and end of the moving image shooting. Since it is also used, the image range can be specified by the same operation as when shooting a moving image, and the operability is extremely high.

On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step 210, the process proceeds to step 224 to determine whether or not the operation of the zoom button 30C has been started. If an affirmative determination is made, the process proceeds to step 226 at this time. LCD5
The frame number of the image displayed at 0 is recorded in the edit file as zoom start position information, and the next step 228
Then, the zooming reproduction by the electronic zoom according to the operation of the zoom button 30C by the user is started. That is, in this step 228, when the user presses the tele button of the zoom button 30C, the image being reproduced is reproduced at a predetermined magnification (in the present embodiment, 1.0).
When the wide button of the zoom button 30C is pressed by the user, the image being reproduced is enlarged by a predetermined magnification (0.09 times in the present embodiment). Just make it smaller and display it.

In the next step 230, the LC at this point is
It is determined whether or not the enlargement ratio of the reproduced image at D50 exceeds the enlargement ratio upper limit value C, and in the case of a positive determination, step 2
After shifting to 32 and setting the enlargement ratio of the reproduction screen to the enlargement ratio upper limit value C, the process proceeds to step 240.

On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step 230, the process proceeds to step 234, it is determined whether or not the magnifying power of the reproduced image exceeds 1, and if a positive determination is made, the process proceeds to step 236. After that, the up, down, left, and right arrows are displayed so as to be superimposed on the reproduced image on the LCD 50, and then the process proceeds to step 240. In the case of a negative determination, the process proceeds to step 238, and the arrow displayed at step 236 is not displayed. After the display, the process proceeds to step 240.

By the processing in steps 230 and 232, the magnification of the reproduced image can be limited to a value within the range of the enlargement magnification upper limit value C or less. Therefore, the digital image data of the reproduced image can be generated only by thinning out the pixel unit from the digital image data of the file to be edited stored in the recording medium 26, and the deterioration of the image quality of the reproduced image due to the enlargement and reduction is possible. It never happens. This will be described in detail with reference to FIG. It should be noted that the figure shows a case where the center coordinates of the processing area is set to the center position of the reproduced image.

When the magnifying power of the reproduced image is 1, the image shown in FIG.
As shown in (A), the data area of the digital image data corresponding to the size of the reproduced image when the position indicated by the processing area central coordinate variable is the central position is cut out,
The reproduced image may be resized by the digital image data by thinning out one pixel for every two adjacent pixels in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction with respect to the cut out data. That is, since the number of pixels of the digital image data according to the present embodiment is twice the number of pixels of the LCD 50 in both the horizontal and vertical directions, the LCD 5 covers the entire image area indicated by the digital image data.
Considering the case of displaying in the entire 0 display area, the number of pixels of the digital image data is made equal to the number of display pixels of the LCD 50 by simply thinning out one pixel every two pixels in both the horizontal direction and the vertical direction. can do.

When the magnifying power of the reproduced image is less than 1, that is, when the reproduced image is reduced, FIG.
As shown in (B), the data area of the digital image data corresponding to the size of the reproduced image when the position indicated by the processing area central coordinate variable is the central position is cut out,
Pixels may be thinned out in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction from the cut-out data at a ratio according to the enlargement ratio to resize the reproduced image based on the digital image data. Note that the thinning rate at this time is 1 when the enlargement ratio of the reproduced image is 1 (1 for every 2 pixels).
(Thinning out of pixels) (for example, thinning out two pixels every three pixels, thinning out three pixels every four pixels, etc.).

Further, when the magnifying power of the reproduced image is more than 1 and less than or equal to the upper limit C of the magnifying power, as shown in FIG.
The data area of the digital image data corresponding to the size of the reproduced image with the position indicated by the processing area center coordinate variable as the center position is cut out, and the cutout data is magnified in the horizontal and vertical directions. The pixels may be thinned out at a rate according to the above condition to resize the reproduced image based on the digital image data.
Note that the thinning ratio at this time has a smaller value (for example, 1 pixel thinning out of every 3 pixels, 1 pixel thinning out of every 4 pixels, etc.) than when the enlargement ratio of the reproduced image is 1.

As described above, in the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment, the number of pixels of the CCD 16 in each of the horizontal direction and the vertical direction is made larger than that of the enlarged image, so that the horizontal direction of the image recorded by photographing is increased. The number of pixels in each of the vertical and vertical directions is made larger than that of the image after enlargement, and the enlargement ratio of the reproduced image is limited to the enlargement ratio upper limit value C or less, so that the digital image data for the reproduced image is thinned out. The image quality is prevented from being deteriorated as in the case where the data of the pixel which is not obtained optically is generated by the interpolation process or the like.

Further, the above steps 234 to 23
When the enlargement ratio of the reproduced image is more than 1 and equal to or smaller than the upper limit C of the enlargement ratio by the process of 8, the moving image is displayed and the upper end of the display area of the LCD 50 is displayed as shown in FIG. 6B. An up arrow 90U is displayed near the portion, a down arrow 90D is displayed near the lower end, a left arrow 90L is displayed near the left end, and a right arrow 90R is displayed near the right end, and the magnifying power of the reproduced image is 1 × or less. In these cases, these arrows 90U, 90
D, 90L, 90R are not displayed.

These arrows 90U, 90D, 90L, 9
0R indicates that the center position of the reproduced image displayed on the LCD 50 is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow by pressing the arrow key of the cross cursor button 30B corresponding to the direction indicated by the arrow. Is. As described above, in the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment, when the reproduced image is enlarged by operating the zoom button 30C, the cross cursor button 30B is used.
The reproduced image can be scrolled on the LCD 50 by the operation of, and the image reproduced on the LCD 50 at this time can be set as the trimming range.

In step 240, the information indicating the enlargement ratio of the reproduced image at this time is used as the zoom ratio information, and the coordinate values of the horizontal coordinate and the vertical coordinate assigned to the processing area center coordinate variable are used as the trimming information. Each frame is recorded in the edit file together with the frame information, and in the next step 242, it is determined whether or not the operation of the zoom button 30C detected in the above step 224 is completed, and in the case of a negative determination, the above step 230 is performed. When the process returns and the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 244.

At step 244, the LCD 5
The frame number of the image reproduced at 0 is recorded in the edit file as zoom end position information, and the next step 24
After the zooming reproduction started in step 228 in step 6, the process returns to step 210.

By the processing of the above steps 224 to 246, while the image file showing the moving image selected by the user is being reproduced on the LCD 50, information on the zooming state at the time of executing the dubbing and the next and subsequent reproductions is displayed. I am recording.

At this time, in the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment, the zoom button 30C operated at the time of zooming at the time of shooting is also used as the operating means for setting the zooming state at the time of executing dubbing and reproduction. Since the setting is performed, the setting can be performed by the same operation as when shooting, and the operability is extremely high.

On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step 224, the process proceeds to step 248, it is determined whether or not the enlargement ratio of the reproduced image on the LCD 50 at this time exceeds 1, and in the case of a positive determination. In step 250, it is determined whether the cross cursor button 30B has been operated. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 252.

In step 252, the value of the processing area center coordinate variable is set by a predetermined amount (in the present embodiment, in the direction indicated by the arrow key of the cross-shaped cursor button 30B being pressed).
After updating the coordinate values when moved by one pixel), the process returns to step 210. When the value of the processing area central coordinate variable is changed by the processing of step 252, the reproduced image after that is reproduced so that the image position indicated by the processing area central coordinate variable matches the central position of the LCD 50. Play while scrolling.

On the other hand, the above steps 248 and 2
If a negative determination is made in any of 50, the above step 2 is performed without executing the processing in step 252.
Return to 10.

By this image editing processing, as shown in FIG. 8, while the file to be edited is being played back on the LCD 50, the user performs dubbing and subsequent playback while referring to the image being played back. Release button 3 when the image to start executing is played
By fully pressing 0A, the frame number indicating the image can be recorded in the edit file as the edit start position information, and the release button 30A can be fully pressed again when the image to be executed is reproduced. Thus, the frame number indicating the image can be recorded in the edit file as the edit end position information.

Further, by the main image editing process, while the file to be edited is being reproduced on the LCD 50, the user performs zooming when executing dubbing and subsequent reproduction while referring to the image being reproduced. Zoom button 30 when the image you want to start
By starting the pressing operation of C, the frame number indicating the image can be recorded in the edit file as zoom start position information, and the pressing operation of the zoom button 30C is ended when the image for which zooming is desired to be finished is reproduced. As a result, the frame number indicating the image can be recorded in the edit file as zoom end position information.

Then, for each image reproduced on the LCD 50 during the period when the zoom button 30C is being pressed, frame information indicating the image, zoom magnification information indicating the zoom magnification for the image, and the image. The trimming information indicating the processing area center coordinates with respect to and can be recorded in the edit file as zoom-related information.

Step 21 of this image edit processing program
The processes of 4, 218, 226, 240, and 244 correspond to the information recording means of the present invention, and the processes of steps 230 and 232 correspond to the limiting means of the present invention.

Next, referring to FIG. 9, the digital camera 1
The dubbing process executed by 0 will be described.
Note that in FIG. 9, the digital camera 10 is connected to an external device (here, the PC 80) via the cradle 60, and
9 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing of a dubbing processing program executed by the CPU 28 of the digital camera 10 when receiving instruction information for instructing execution of dubbing processing from the C80, and the program is also stored in a predetermined area of the flash memory 24 in advance. Has been done.

In step 300 of the figure, the file names of all the image files recorded in the data recording area 26F are read from the directory 26D of the recording medium 26, and in the next step 302, the file names of all the read image files are read. The information indicating the name is transmitted to the PC 80 via the cradle 60, and in the next step 304, P
Waiting for reception of predetermined information from C80.

When the PC 80 receives the information indicating the file name from the digital camera 10, the PC 80 displays a dubbing image selection menu of a predetermined layout configuration on the display unit 84 using the received file name information.

FIG. 10 shows a dubbing image selection menu displayed on the display section 84 at this time. As shown in the figure, in the dubbing image selection menu according to the present embodiment, a message prompting the designation of the file name of the image file to be dubbed is displayed, and the image indicated by the information received from the digital camera 10 is displayed. File names of files are displayed in list format.

When such a dubbing image selection menu is displayed on the display section 84, the user designates a file name corresponding to the image file to be dubbed from the displayed file name by using a keyboard or a mouse (not shown). To do. Then, the PC 80 transmits information indicating the file name designated by the user to the digital camera 10 via the cradle 60. As a result, step 30
When 4 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 306.

In step 306, the edit file corresponding to the image file (hereinafter referred to as "dubbing target file") indicated by the information indicating the file name received from the PC 80 exists in the edit file recording area 26E of the recording medium 26. If it is negative, the process proceeds to step 308 to read the dubbing target file from the data recording area 26F of the recording medium 26,
In the next step 310, the read dubbing target file is transmitted to the PC 80 via the cradle 60, and then the dubbing processing program is terminated. Step 30 above
By the processing of 6 to step 310, when the image file having no edit file is designated by the user as the file to be dubbed, the entire designated image file is transmitted to the PC 80.

When the PC 80 receives the dubbing target file from the digital camera 10, the PC 80 records (dubbs) the image file in a predetermined recording area of the external medium 82 preinstalled in the PC 80.

On the other hand, if an affirmative decision is made in step 306, that is, if there is an edit file corresponding to the file to be dubbed, the routine moves to step 312, and the edit file is recorded in the edit file recording area 26E of the recording medium 26. Read from the next step 31
In step 4, the read edit file is transmitted to the PC 80.

When the PC 80 receives the edit file, it reads all the information included in the edit file, and the image (frame) indicated by the edit start position information included in the read information to the image indicated by the edit end position information. The instruction information for instructing the transmission of the digital image data corresponding to each image up to is transmitted to the digital camera 10 as dubbing instruction information. Further, when the received edit file includes zoom position information and zoom-related information, the PC 80 includes the information in the dubbing instruction information and transmits the information to the digital camera 10.

Then, in the next step 316, the PC 80
From the edit start position to the edit end position shown in FIG. 8 in the next step 318. )
The digital image data corresponding to the first image in is read from the dubbing target file.

In the next step 320, the above step 3
The above-mentioned step 318 is added to the dubbing instruction information received in 16.
It is determined whether or not there is zoom-related information regarding the digital image data read in step S3. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 322, and the digital image data corresponding to the zoom-related information confirmed to exist in step 320 Is generated based on the digital image data read in step 318, and then the process proceeds to step 326. Less than,
The procedure of generating digital image data in step 322 will be described.

First, the image represented by the digital image data read in step 318 is added to the zoom-related information centered on the position indicated by the trimming information included in the zoom-related information confirmed to exist in step 320. When the image is enlarged or reduced by the magnification indicated by the included zoom magnification information, the digital image data of the image area included in the image size after dubbing (VGA size in this embodiment) is read out in step 318. Cut out from the data.

Next, the cut-out digital image data is thinned out (resized) according to the enlargement magnification indicated by the zoom magnification information included in the zoom-related information, whereby the zoom-related information is obtained. Generate digital image data. Note that pixel thinning in the case where the enlargement ratio is 1 may be performed in the same manner as the thinning-out described with reference to FIG. 7A. When the enlargement ratio is less than 1, that is, the image is reduced. In the case of pixel thinning,
The thinning-out may be performed in the same manner as the thinning-out described with reference to FIG. 7B. Further, the thinning-out of pixels in the case where the enlargement ratio is more than 1 and equal to or smaller than the enlargement-magnification upper limit value C is described with reference to FIG. 7C. It may be performed in the same manner as the described thinning.

On the other hand, when a negative determination is made in step 320, the process proceeds to step 324, and the image represented by the digital image data read in step 318 is the image size after dubbing (in the present embodiment, The digital image data is resized so as to have a VGA size) by performing a thinning-out process similar to the thinning-out process shown with reference to FIG. 7A, and then the process proceeds to step 326.

In step 326, the resized digital image data obtained by the above processing is transmitted to the PC 80, and in the next step 328, the above step 31
It is determined whether the processing from 8 to step 326 has been completed for all the images in the image section. If the determination is negative, the process returns to step 318, and the affirmative determination ends the present dubbing processing program.

Incidentally, the above steps 318 to 32.
8 is executed, in step 318,
The digital image data corresponding to the image next to the previously read digital image data in the image section is read.

In the PC 80, the digital image data transmitted from the digital camera 10 by the process of step 326 is sequentially stored in the memory (not shown), and the reception of the digital image data corresponding to all the images in the image section is completed. At this point, the digital image data stored in the memory is collectively recorded as an image file of one moving image in a predetermined area of the external medium 82.

When dubbing an image file to be edited by the image editing process by the dubbing process, the image file obtained by the dubbing should be in accordance with the editing content of the image editing process. You can

Next, the reproducing process executed by the digital camera 10 will be described with reference to FIG. Note that FIG. 11 shows the digital camera 1 when the playback mode is set by the user operating the playback switch 30D.
10 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of a reproduction processing program executed by the CPU 28 of 0, which is also stored in a predetermined area of the flash memory 24 in advance. Further, here, a case will be described in which image files of a plurality of moving images are recorded in the data recording area 26F of the recording medium 26.

At step 400 in the figure, the file names of all the image files stored in the data recording area 26F are read from the directory 26D of the recording medium 26, and the file names of all the read image files are used in advance. A reproduction image selection menu having a predetermined layout configuration is displayed on the LCD 50, and in the next step 402, the input of predetermined information from the user is awaited.

FIG. 12 shows a reproduction image selection menu displayed on the LCD 50 by the processing of the above step 400. As shown in the figure, in the reproduction image selection menu according to the present embodiment, a message prompting the designation of the file name of the image file to be reproduced is displayed, and the file names read from the directory 26D are displayed in a list format. Is displayed.

Such a reproduction image selection menu is displayed on the LCD.
When displayed on 50, the user specifies the file name corresponding to the image file to be reproduced from the displayed file name by operating the cross cursor button 30B. As a result, the affirmative determination is made in step 402, and the process proceeds to step 404.

In step 404, it is determined whether or not an edit file corresponding to the image file designated by the user (hereinafter referred to as "playback target file") exists in the edit file recording area 26E of the recording medium 26,
In the case of negative determination, the process proceeds to step 406, the reproduction target file is read from the data recording area 26F of the recording medium 26, and in the next step 408, the read reproduction target file is reproduced normally by the LCD 50 and then the main reproduction processing program. To finish. Step 404-
By the processing of step 408, when an image file having no edit file is designated by the user as a file to be played back, the designated image file is played back on the LCD 50 as usual.

On the other hand, if an affirmative decision is made in step 404 above, that is, if there is an edit file corresponding to the file to be played back, then the routine proceeds to step 410, where the edit file is recorded in the edit file recording area 26E Read from.

In the next step 412, the image section from the image indicated by the edit start position information included in the read edit file to the image indicated by the edit end position information (from the edit start position to the edit end position in FIG. 8). Digital image data corresponding to the first image in the image (frame) section is read from the reproduction target file.

In the next Step 414, the above Step 4 is executed.
It is determined whether or not zoom-related information relating to the digital image data read in step 412 is present in the edit file read in step 10, and if the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 416, and the existence is confirmed in step 414. After the digital image data corresponding to the zoom related information is generated based on the digital image data read in step 412, the process proceeds to step 420. The procedure of generating digital image data in step 416 will be described below.

First, the image represented by the digital image data read in step 412 is converted into the zoom related information centered on the position indicated by the trimming information included in the zoom related information confirmed to exist in step 414. When the image is enlarged or reduced at the magnification indicated by the included zoom magnification information, the digital image data of the image area included in the image size during reproduction (VGA size in this embodiment) is read out in step 412. Cut out from the data.

Next, the cut-out digital image data is thinned out (resized) in accordance with the enlargement magnification indicated by the zoom magnification information included in the zoom-related information, whereby the zoom-related information is obtained. Generate digital image data. Note that pixel thinning in the case where the enlargement ratio is 1 may be performed in the same manner as the thinning-out described with reference to FIG. 7A. When the enlargement ratio is less than 1, that is, the image is reduced. In the case of pixel thinning,
The thinning-out may be performed in the same manner as the thinning-out described with reference to FIG. 7B. Further, the thinning-out of pixels in the case where the enlargement ratio is more than 1 and equal to or smaller than the enlargement-magnification upper limit value C is described with reference to FIG. 7C. It may be performed in the same manner as the described thinning.

On the other hand, when a negative determination is made in step 414, the process proceeds to step 418, and the image represented by the digital image data read in step 412 is the image size at the time of reproduction (in the present embodiment,
After the digital image data is resized so as to have a VGA size) by performing a thinning process similar to the thinning process shown in FIG. 7A, step 4 is performed.
Move to 20.

In step 420, an image based on the resized digital image data obtained by the above processing is displayed on the LCD 50, and in the next step 422, the processing of the above steps 412 to 420 is performed for all the image sections. It is determined whether or not the image processing is completed. If the determination is negative, the process returns to step 412, and when the determination is positive, the reproduction processing program ends.

Incidentally, the above steps 412 to 42
When executing the repetitive processing of step 2, in step 412,
The digital image data corresponding to the image next to the previously read digital image data in the image section is read. In addition, the above steps 412 to 42
When the repetitive processing of step 2 is executed, the cycle of image display in step 420 is set to the moving image shooting speed (30 frames / second in the present embodiment) when the reproduction target file is recorded in the recording medium 26. Set so that the playback speed is the same.

By this reproducing process, when the image file to be edited in the image editing process is reproduced by the LCD 50, the reproduction state can be set according to the editing content in the image editing process.

As described in detail above, in the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment, electronic zooming is performed on the number of pixels in the horizontal and vertical directions of the image represented by the digital image data generated by the CCD 16. The digital image data generated by the CCD 16 as well as the number of images after the digital image data is generated, and the zoom magnification of the electronic zoom applied to the image when the reproduction of the image file and the display of the image shown by the image file by the LCD 50 are executed. Is equal to or less than the enlargement magnification upper limit value C determined based on the number of pixels in the horizontal and vertical directions of the image shown by and the number of pixels in the horizontal and vertical directions of the image after electronic zooming. Therefore, it is possible to generate the necessary digital image data without performing interpolation processing. It is possible to prevent deterioration in the image quality of the display image by the digital image data.

Further, in the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment, while the moving image indicated by the image file is displayed on the LCD 50, dubbing of the image file and execution of the displaying of the moving image on the LCD 50 from the next time onward. At the time of electronically zooming the moving image, the position in the image file of the image to be electronically zoomed based on the operation on the zoom button 30C operated when the image to be electronically zoomed is displayed on the LCD 50. Is recorded, and zoom magnification information indicating a zoom magnification for the image is recorded, and while the moving image is displayed on the LCD 50, dubbing of the image file and display of the moving image on the LCD 50 from the next time onward. Of at least one of the Image you want to start the execution is LCD50
The edit start position indicating the position in the image file of the image to be executed, based on the operation on the release button 30A operated when the image is displayed by and the image to be executed is displayed on the LCD 50. Since the information and the edit end position information indicating the position in the image file of the image for which the execution is desired to be ended are recorded, dubbing accompanied by electronic zoom of a partial section in the image file of the moving image can be performed in a short time by a simple operation. At least one of the displays can be performed.

Further, in the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment, digital image data corresponding to each image from the image indicated by the edit start position information to the image indicated by the edit end position information in the image file is transmitted to the outside. Therefore, at least one of dubbing the image file and displaying the image shown by the image file can be executed externally.

In the digital camera 10 according to this embodiment, the editing button of the present invention is used as the release button 30.
Since it is also used as A, the operability can be improved and the cost can be reduced.

Further, in the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment, the zoom information input means of the present invention is also used as the zoom button 30C, so that the operability can be improved.
And the cost can be reduced.

Further, in the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment, when the dubbing of the image file is executed, the zoom area which is the image data of the area which is enlarged or reduced by the corresponding zoom magnification from the digital image data of the image file. Since the image information is cut out and the cut-out zoom area image information is enlarged or reduced at the zoom magnification, the processing load on the external device when the image file is dubbed by the external device is reduced. be able to.

In the present embodiment, the case where the image file recorded in the recording medium 26 by the digital camera 10 by photographing is dubbed to the external medium 82 mounted on the PC 80 via the cradle 60 has been described. The present invention is not limited to this,
For example, as shown in FIG. 13, the digital camera 10 is directly connected to an external storage device 92 such as a hard disk device, a DVD drive device, a CD-R drive device, etc., and directly dubbed onto a recording medium provided in the external storage device 92. It can also be in the form. Also in this case, the same effect as that of the present embodiment can be obtained.

In the present embodiment, the case where various editing information such as editing start position information, editing end position information, zoom position information, zoom magnification information, etc. is recorded as an edit file has been described. The present invention is not limited to this, and for example, it may be recorded as a tag in the image file to be edited. In this case, the edit file recording area 26 is recorded on the recording medium 26.
It is not necessary to provide E. Also in this case, the same effect as that of the present embodiment can be obtained.

Further, in this embodiment, each of the edit start position information, the edit end position information, the zoom start position information, and the zoom end position information is recorded as the frame number of the image at the corresponding position in the image file. Although the case has been described, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the image file may be recorded as the elapsed time from the start of reproduction when the image is reproduced from the first image. Also in this case, the same effect as that of the present embodiment can be obtained.

Further, although the case where the zoom magnification information is applied as the magnification information of the present invention has been described in the present embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the trimming according to the present embodiment is performed. Instead of the information, the information indicating the coordinates of the four corner points of the image obtained by enlarging or reducing the image at the magnification indicated by the zoom magnification information, and the information indicating the coordinates of the two diagonal points on the diagonal line of the image are displayed. It is also possible to apply this information and use this information as magnification information of the present invention.
In this case, it is not necessary to record zoom magnification information. Also in this case, the same effect as that of the present embodiment can be obtained.

Further, although the case where the digital camera 10 and the external device are connected by USB has been described in the present embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this.
Wired communication other than USB (for example, IEEE1394)
It is also possible to adopt a form of connection by wireless communication or a form of connection by wireless communication (for example, Bluetooth, IrDA, etc.). Also in this case, the same effect as that of the present embodiment can be obtained.

Further, although the case where the electronic zoom process is performed on the moving image has been described in the present embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this, and the mode in which the electronic zoom process is performed on the still image is described. It goes without saying that you can In this case, instead of the image editing processing according to the present embodiment, the zoom magnification is set and set by operating the zoom button 30C in a state where the still image indicated by the image file to be processed is displayed on the LCD 50. An image editing process of recording zoom magnification information indicating the zoom magnification in an edit file is applied. Also in this case,
It is possible to perform at least one of duplication and display of an image file of a still image with electronic zoom in a short time with a simple operation.

Further, although the case where the enlargement magnification upper limit value C represented by the equation (1) is applied as the enlargement magnification upper limit value of the present invention has been described in the present embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this. However, if the image quality of the image after electronic zoom processing is not significantly affected even if some pixel interpolation processing is performed because the number of pixels of the image after electronic zoom processing is relatively large, etc. The upper limit value may be a value slightly larger than the enlargement magnification upper limit value C (for example, a value obtained by increasing the enlargement magnification upper limit value C by 25%). In this case, the allowable enlargement ratio of the electronic zoom is increased, and the degree of freedom of enlargement by the electronic zoom can be increased.

Further, in the present embodiment, in the image editing process (see FIG. 5), editing position information, zoom position information,
Although a case has been described where each piece of information on the zoom information and the zoom-related information is directly recorded on the recording medium 26 when the user operates various buttons, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the user operates various buttons. Sometimes
It is also possible to temporarily store each of these pieces of information in the SDRAM 22 or the flash memory 24 and record the information in the recording medium 26 in response to a recording instruction input to the recording medium 26 by the user. Also in this case, the same effect as that of the present embodiment can be obtained.

Further, in the present embodiment, a case will be described in which an operation for inputting various information to be recorded in an edit file is performed in a state where a moving image to be processed in the image editing process is reproduced at an actual reproduction speed. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the operation may be performed in the state where the frame-advance reproduction or the frame-reverse reproduction of the moving image to be processed is performed. In this case, it is possible to specify a desired image position with higher accuracy than in the present embodiment.

In the present embodiment, the update of the edit file is not mentioned, but it goes without saying that the update can be performed. That is, this is a case where an image file in which an edit file already exists is to be processed again in the image edit process. In this case, the edit position information and the zoom position input according to the operation by the user in the image edit process are performed. Each of the position information and the zoom-related information is overwritten in the corresponding recording area of the already created edit file. Therefore, in this case, the latest editing information is preferentially applied when the dubbing process (see FIG. 9) or the reproduction process (see FIG. 11) is executed.

Furthermore, the processing flow of each processing program described in this embodiment (see FIGS. 5, 9, and 11)
It is needless to say that the above is an example and can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0180]

According to the information recording apparatus of the first aspect, the number of pixels in each of the horizontal direction and the vertical direction of the image indicated by the image information generated by the image pickup means after the electronic zoom is performed. The image information generated by the image pickup unit has a zoom magnification of electronic zoom applied to the image when the number of images is larger than the number of images and at least one of the reproduction of the image information and the display of the image indicated by the image information is executed. To be equal to or less than the enlargement magnification upper limit value determined based on the number of pixels in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction of the image shown by and the number of the pixels in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction of the image after the electronic zoom is performed. Since it is limited to, it is possible to prevent deterioration of the image quality of the display image.

According to the information recording apparatus of the second aspect, while the moving image indicated by the image information is displayed by the display means, a duplicate of the image information is displayed and the moving image is displayed from the next time onward. In a case where the moving image is electronically zoomed when at least one of the means for displaying is performed, an electronic image is displayed based on an operation performed on the zoom information input means that is operated when the image to be electronically zoomed is displayed by the display means. The zoom position information indicating the position in the image information of the image to be zoomed and the magnification information indicating the zoom magnification for the image are recorded, and the moving image is displayed by the display means, and the image information is duplicated. And the image to be executed at the time of executing at least one of the display of the moving image by the display means from the next time onward. The position in the image information of the image for which the execution is to be started is indicated based on the operation on the editing operation device that is operated when the image is displayed by the display unit and when the image for which the execution is to be ended is displayed by the display unit. Since the edit start position information and the edit end position information indicating the position in the image information of the image for which the execution is to be ended are recorded, the electronic zoom of a partial section in the image information of the moving image can be performed in a short time with a simple operation. It is possible to obtain the effect that at least one of the copy creation and the display can be performed.

Further, according to the information recording apparatus of the third aspect, the image information corresponding to each image from the image indicated by the edit start position information to the image indicated by the edit end position information in the image information is externally transmitted. I am sending it,
It is possible to obtain an effect that at least one of the reproduction of the image information and the display of the image indicated by the image information can be executed externally.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1A is a digital camera 10 according to an embodiment.
2B is an external view showing the external appearance of the digital camera 1. FIG.
It is a schematic diagram which shows the state when 0 is connected with the external device using the cradle 60.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electric system of the digital camera 10 and a cradle 60 according to the embodiment, and also showing an electrical connection state when the digital camera 10 is mounted on the cradle 60.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a recording area of the recording medium 26 according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of an edit file according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of an image editing processing program according to an embodiment.

FIG. 6A is a schematic diagram showing a display state of an edited image selection menu according to the embodiment, and FIG. 6B is a schematic diagram showing a display state of an arrow according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the reason why image quality deterioration does not occur in the digital camera 10 according to the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an edit file according to the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of a dubbing processing program according to the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a display state of a dubbing image selection menu according to the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of a reproduction processing program according to the embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing a display state of a reproduction image selection menu according to the embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 digital camera 16 CCD (imaging means) 26 Recording media (recording means) 28 CPU (limitation means and information recording means) 30A release button (editing operation means) 30B Cross cursor button 30C Zoom button (zoom information input means) 30D playback switch 30E shooting switch 32 USB controller (transmitting means) 50 Liquid crystal display (display means) 80 personal computer 82 External media

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F term (reference) 5B047 AB04 BB04 BC23 CA23 CB10                       DC20                 5C022 AA13 AB36 AC42 AC69                 5C053 FA05 FA08 FA23 FA27 GB36                       KA01 KA24 KA26 LA01 LA11                 5C076 AA21 AA22 BA06 BB06

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An image pickup unit for picking up an image to generate image information, a recording unit for recording the image information generated by the image pickup unit, and an image indicated by the image information recorded in the recording unit. In the case of performing electronic zooming on the image at the time of executing at least one of the display unit for displaying the image information and the duplication of the image information and the display of the image by the display unit, magnification information indicating at least a zoom magnification of the electronic zoom. A zoom information input means for inputting zoom information including the information, and an information recording device comprising: a number of pixels in each of a horizontal direction and a vertical direction of an image indicated by the image information generated by the imaging means, The zoom magnification is set to be larger than that of the image after the electronic zoom is performed, and the zoom magnification is indicated by the image information generated by the imaging unit. To be equal to or less than the enlargement magnification upper limit value determined based on the number of pixels in the horizontal and vertical directions of the image and the number of pixels in the horizontal and vertical directions of the image after the electronic zoom is performed. An information recording device provided with a limiting means for limiting. 2. The image is a moving image, and the zoom information inputting means, in a state in which the moving image is displayed by the display means, makes a duplicate of the image information and displays the moving image after the next time. In the case where the moving image is electronically zoomed when at least one of the means for displaying is performed, the zoom information is input by being operated when the image to be electronically zoomed is displayed by the display means. In the state in which the moving image is displayed by the display means, the image that the user wants to start is displayed when at least one of the reproduction of the image information and the display of the moving image by the display means after the next time is executed. Editing operation performed when the image is displayed by the display unit and when the image for which the execution is to be ended is displayed by the display unit. A step, and zoom position information indicating a position in the image information of an image to be electronically zoomed, and magnification information indicating a zoom magnification for the image, based on an operation on the zoom information input unit, and the editing. Information for recording edit start position information indicating the position in the image information of the image to be started, and edit end position information indicating the position in the image information of the image to be executed based on the operation on the operation means. The information recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a recording unit. 3. A transmission means for transmitting image information corresponding to each image from the image indicated by the edit start position information to the image indicated by the edit end position information in the image information to the outside. 2. The information recording device described in 2.